Vehicle-shafts



(-No Model.)

S. TOOMEY.

VEHICLE SHAFTS.

Patented July 12, 1887.

www, JM im mm/[5555. )fom wdk UNITED STATES SAMUEL TOOMEY, OF CANALDOVER, OHIO.

PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE-SHAFTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,530, dated July 12,1887.

Application filed October 2S, 1886. Serial BT03211410. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, SAMUEL TooMEY, a citizen of the United States,residing in Canal trussing and improved construction of crossbarsconnecting the shafts, all substantially as set forth. Theseimprovements are designed especially for sulky-shafts, but may beapplied to any kind ofvehicle where they may be useful.

In the. annexed drawings, Figure l represents a top view of a pair ofsulky-shafts provided with my improvements; Fig. 2, au under side viewof the same; Fig. 3, a side view thereof; Fig. 4, a cross-section in aplane indicated bythe line l, Fig. l; Fig. 5, a section in aplaneindicated by the line 2 2, Figi; Fig. 6, a side View of a cross-bartruss-plate, showing a slight modification in its construction.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

In the drawings, A A represent a pair' of sulky-shafts to which myimproved trussing is applied. Such shafts, receiving a part of theweight of the driver, and especially the weight and pressure of his feetand legs upon them, require especial strength and stiffness in avertical direction; and, also, because the pressure of the drive-rs feetis outward as well as downward, it is required also to have additionalstrength in a horizontal direction, though not to so great a degree asin the vertical direction. By my invention I provide for strengtheningthe shafts both vertically and horizontally and to the proper degree inboth directions by a single trussing, as follows:

The shafts proper may be of ordinary forni and the trussing appliedthereto without changing the original construction, so that theimprovement :may be applied to those already in use or made. Upon theunder side of the shafts the truss bars or plates B B, of wood or metal,are applied, being secured at their ends to the shafts by screws, bolts,or clip bands, as found most convenient or desirable. I have shown simple screws for the purpose, intended to represent any equivalent means.The trussplates might extend the whole length of the shafts; but it issufficient,and generally preferable, to have them shorter, extendingalong the middle part of the shafts, where they are principally needed.Between the shafts and truss-plates is a proper number of stays, C C,inthe form of bolts, blocks, or straps-screwbolts and thimble-blocksbeing shown in the drawings.

Now, to give the trussing a double bracing action against both verticaland horizontal strain, the truss-plates B B arelocated beneath the outeredges of the shafts A A, and the stays C O are arranged obliquelydownward and outward between the shafts and trussplates, as clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 4. Thus the desired bracing in both a vertical andhorizontal direction is effected, while the stay-rods pass centrallythrough theshafts and truss-plates, or substantially so.

The shafts are connected by two bars, D E, one forward of the other, andboth curved, with their concave sides forward, the forward bar, D,giving additional room for the horse. The bars D E also are curvedupward on the under side, as shown in Fig. 4, to give abundant room forthe riscl and fall of the horses buttocks in trotting or traveling.lIhese two bars D and E, I connect at several places along their lengthby stays G G or G G. I have represented at G G stay-bolts withthimble-sleeves thereon, like the trussing-stays of the shafts; and at GG, I have shown simple stay-blocks screwed to the tops of the bars, andhaving shoulders a a, Fig. 5, fitting against the inner edges of thebars. These constructions are considered equivalent in effect. Inaddition to the staying of the two bars together in a horizontaldirection, I truss at least the front bar, D, in a vertical direction.

The trussing, as shown, consists of a curved or bent truss-plate, II,secured to the upper side of the bar at its ends, curved upward in themiddle, and connected with the bar between its end fastenings by stays II of any construction, as shown or otherwise. Thus not only are theshafts braced together horiventing the curving upward ofthe bars when'the shafts are held to the horse by the girth. A`In Sullriesthe bar Dwill support the front vend of the sulky-body. The body may rest on aiiattened or straight part of the truss-plate H, of the forni showninFig. 4; or the trussplate may be curved through its whole length ou top,as shown in Fig. 6, there being blocks b b fitting the crown of thetruss-.plate and affording a plane upper su 'riace to receive the body,as indicated.

I claim as my inventionl. The shafts of a vehicle provided with atrussing obliquely downward and outward in direction, substantially asand for the purpose herein speciiied. y l

2. Vehicle-shafts A A, having truss plates or bars B B under their outeredges, and connecting-stays C C, obliquel y downward and outward indirection, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

8. In combination with shafts A A of a vehicle, two curved parallelbars, D E, connecting the shafts, the said connectingbars beingconnected with each other by a series of crossstays, G G G',substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

4. Iu combination'with shafts A A of a vehicle, a bar, D, connecting theshafts, having a trussplate, H, thereon, and stays I I between the barand trussplate, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

5. In a sulky, in combination with shafts A A, a connecting'bar, D,having a convex truss plate or bar, II, upon which the front end of the,body of the sulky rests, substantially as and for the purpose hereinspecified.

' SAMUEL TooMEY.

